This started off with a searing psychedelic induced song – reminded me of Sun City Girls, albeit that sound never returns. I want more of that! The rest was very first wave UK punk, snotty, almost sneered female vocals, crossed with sung vocals at times. Overall a lot of first wave UK and Dangerhouse Records influence but also veering into Wire level of austerity of playing. Imagine, if you will, Wire and Avengers being combined in 2020, and if that seems enticing, then All Hits will appeal to you.
Two quibbles, and they’re not deal breakers – but certainly they’re points of irritation to my ears. There are points in songs where the guitars get into a trebly-Dead Kennedy’s-esque, surfy style that is not my thing, and I think detracts from the songs. This may be simply that is that the bass is not mixed forward enough for my tastes. If you’re going to harken back to 1977, one thing that you’ll notice is that the traditional dichotomy of guitar leads and bass supporting the rhythm is flipped – and All Hits maintains that existing power levels, putting guitar feedback overwhelming over top of the bass – losing that drive underneath that should accentuates the break. (Listen at 1:46 to Sugar Shack – an otherwise great track). The other, and again this is maybe just the mix wasn’t as graceful as it could be, but the reverb/echo applied to the sung vocals are often intrusive in quiet parts. Actually, I find the mix not really helping the band tell a story. Another part where the guitar is overwhelming is in Class Traitor, and maybe doubly troubling is that the vocals shouts of “Big Man” should be over top of all else, but are overwhelmed by feedback at a couple of points.
Again, not a deal breaker. I think that this is overall a strong release, and I will concede that I’m listening to this on computer speakers, which inherently are bass deficient, but after referencing some other things that I know well, I can say with certainty, that the songs are there, the lyrics that I could make out are political and well thought out, but a more details oriented mix would’ve helped. If you think you’d like a post punk version of Avengers, you will like this band. Hope to hear more from them.
